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Artwork Tombstone
CultureIdoma
TitleMask (Akatakpulakpula)
DateUnknown
MediumWood and pigment
DimensionsObject: 14 1/16 × 26 5/8 × 13 3/4 in. (35.7 × 67.6 × 34.9 cm)
Overall: 14 1/16 × 26 5/8 × 13 3/4 in. (35.7 × 67.6 × 34.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of Albert Votaw, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number77.82
This artwork is currently on view.
Image Forthcoming

Among Idoma woodcarvers, individual inventiveness is encouraged in the creation of masks and figures. Today a great number of Idoma masks continue to be used and produced, some under the influence of an increased secularization of associated dance societies. These masks are used both for rituals associated with these dance societies as well as during funerals.

This mask, associated with the Akatakpulakpula society, composed of elders of the community, appeared at the funerals of members of the society as well as at harvest time.

Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

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Cite this page
"Mask | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=77.82